Liquid ejection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A liquid ejection apparatus ejects liquid retained in a liquid container from a liquid ejection head. The apparatus includes a liquid supply needle having an outlet line that can be connected to the interior of the liquid container, a liquid supply line connecting the outlet line of the liquid supply needle to the recording head, and a control valve provided in the liquid supply line. The control valve closes the liquid supply line when negative pressure is applied to the liquid ejection head. A seal valve is arranged between the control valve and the liquid supply needle in the liquid supply line. The seal valve seals the liquid supply line using liquid pressure applied from the control valve to the outlet line. Accordingly, the liquid is prevented from leaking from the liquid supply needle when the liquid container is separated from the liquid supply needle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-276603, filed on Sep. 24,2004 and No. 2005-229746, filed on Aug. 8, 2005, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid ejection apparatuses in whichliquid is retained in a container, supplied to a liquid ejection headthrough a liquid supply needle having a liquid outlet line, and thenejected to an ejection object.

By way of example, an inkjet recording apparatus will be described asfollows. The inkjet recording apparatus has a pressure chamber forpressurizing ink. The ink is then ejected from nozzles to a recordingpaper, or the ejection object, as ink droplets. Printing data is thusrecorded on the recording paper. In the apparatus, printing problems mayme caused by vaporization of solvent of the ink from nozzle openings,which may increase the viscosity of the ink, solidify the ink, and allowdust deposition in the nozzle openings, and bubbles trapped in thepressure chamber. Therefore, a capping device is deployed for preventingsuch vaporization by sealing the nozzle openings when printing is notperformed. More specifically, a pump unit generates negative pressure inthe capping device and the negative pressure is applied to the nozzleopenings for forcibly discharging the ink from the nozzle openings. Inother words, the pump unit performs cleaning by forcibly drawing the inkwith the increased viscosity and the dust from the nozzle openings bythe negative pressure generated in the capping device.

Further, for improving color printing quality, some recording apparatusmay use eight types of ink, which are dark and light types of magenta,cyan, yellow, and magenta.

In these cases, ink cartridges must be provided in a quantity sufficientfor the eight color inks. This may result in an excessive total weightof a carriage if the apparatus is an on-carriage type in which the inkcartridges are installed in the carriage. It is thus necessary toincrease the power of the motor for driving the carriage. Further,relatively great reactive force may be generated in the carriage whenthe carriage is returned.

To solve these problems, the ink cartridges may be received in acage-like body attached to the recording apparatus. The ink is suppliedfrom each of the ink cartridge to a recording head serving as the liquidejection head through an ink supply tube. For maintaining the apparatusas a whole in a well-proportioned state in terms of the weight, it isdesired that four of the eight ink cartridges be provided at a lateralend of the apparatus with the remaining four arranged at the opposingend.

In this apparatus, which is called an off-carriage type, the ink in eachof the ink cartridges is pressurized to a predetermined level forreliably sending the ink from the ink cartridge, or a liquid container,to the recording head.

Further, if the recording apparatus tilts laterally with the inkcartridges installed therein while, for example, being moved to adifferent position, water head pressure with respect to the recordinghead is raised in the group of the ink cartridges located at theaffected end of the apparatus. In this case, if each ink cartridge doesnot have a liquid absorption member formed by a porous body, the ink mayleak from the nozzle openings of the recording head.

A recording apparatus described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent PublicationNo. 5-185603 includes an ink cartridge having a hollow ink supply needleextending from the body of the recording apparatus. When the inkcartridge is installed in the recording apparatus, the ink supply needleis inserted in and projects from the ink cartridge. The interior of theink supply needle defines an ink outlet line. The ink outlet line of theink supply needle is connected to a recording head through an ink supplyline defined by, for example, a tube. The ink is thus supplied to therecording head through the ink supply needle and the ink supply line.

In this apparatus, a control valve is provided in the ink supply lineextending from the outlet line of the ink supply needle to the recordinghead, for preventing the ink from leaking from nozzle openings of therecording head. The control valve is closed when the recording apparatusis moved or the ink cartridge is installed in or removed from theapparatus. The ink is thus stopped from leaking from the nozzle openingsor the ink supply needle.

However, in a state transitional from an open state to a closed state ofthe control valve, or when the opening degree of the control valve isdecreasing, the body of the control valve moves in such a manner as torestrict the communication area of the ink supply line. This causes theink to flow back from the control valve to the ink supply needle. Inthis state, if the ink cartridge is separated from the ink supplyneedle, the ink in the outlet line of the ink supply needle is pressedby the body of the control valve that is being closed. The ink thusdrops, or leaks, from an inlet port of the ink supply needle. The inkmay contaminate the portion of the recording apparatus in the vicinityof the ink supply needle. Further, the ink may flow into small gapsdefined in the recording apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide aliquid ejection apparatus capable of preventing liquid from leaking froma liquid supply needle when a liquid container is separated from theliquid supply needle.

To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in accordance with thepurpose of the present invention, the invention provides a liquidejection apparatus ejecting a liquid retained in a liquid container froma liquid ejection head. The apparatus includes a liquid supply needlehaving an outlet line that can be connected to the interior of theliquid container, a liquid supply line connecting the outlet line of theliquid supply needle to the liquid ejection head, and a control valveprovided in the liquid supply line. The control valve closes the liquidsupply line when negative pressure is applied to the liquid ejectionhead. A seal valve is arranged between the control valve and the liquidsupply needle in the liquid supply line. The seal valve seals the liquidsupply line using liquid pressure applied from the control valve to theoutlet line.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description of the presentlypreferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an inkjet recording apparatus as a wholeaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a distribution diagram representing ink passages of theapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing a valve unit of the apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a seal valve of FIG.3A, as taken along line B-B of FIG. 3C;

FIG. 3C is a plan view showing a seal valve chamber of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3D is a plan view showing a seal valve body of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of FIG. 3D;

FIG. 3F is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the sealvalve of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the control valve and the sealvalve of FIG. 3A in closed states;

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing a portion of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a seal valve according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 4B show a liquid ejection apparatus according to a firstembodiment of the present invention.

Although the liquid ejection apparatus is capable of ejecting differenttypes of liquid, the following description discusses about an inkjetrecording apparatus by way of example.

As shown in FIG. 1, a plan view showing the recording apparatus, theapparatus includes a body having a carriage 1 in which first and secondrecording heads 7, 8 are formed. The carriage 1 is connected to a motor3 through a timing belt 2 and moves parallel with a platen 5 as guidedby two guide members 4 extending parallel with each other. The first andsecond recording heads 7, 8 are provided on a surface of the carriage 1opposed to a recording paper 19. The first and second recording heads 7,8 are arranged side by side along a movement direction of the carriage1. Sub tank units 9, 10 are provided on an upper surface of the carriage1 in correspondence with ink cartridges. Each of the sub tank units 9,10 functions as a damper against ink pressure.

The recording apparatus includes a frame 11, which is a base member (animmovable member) of the recording apparatus. Two box-like cartridgeaccommodation casings 12 are provided at opposing ends of the frame 11.Each of the cartridge accommodation casings 12 accommodates four inkcartridges 6. A valve unit 14 is attached to each cartridgeaccommodation casing 12. The four ink cartridges 6 at the left side ofFIG. 1 are connected to four ink supply tubes 16 through thecorresponding valve unit 14. The ink supply tubes 16 are connected tothe sub tank unit 9. Likewise, the four ink cartridges 6 at the rightside of the drawing are connected to four ink supply tubes 16 throughthe corresponding valve unit 14. The ink supply tubes 16 are connectedto the sub tank unit 10. The cartridge accommodation casings 12 aresecured to the frame 11 of the recording apparatus. A capping device 62seals nozzle surfaces of the first and second recording heads 7, 8 whenthe apparatus performs cleaning.

FIG. 2 is a distribution diagram showing ink passages of the recordingapparatus. An air supply pipe 17 extending from a pressurization pump 13is connected to one of the four ink cartridges 6 of each cartridgeaccommodation casing 12. The pressurization pump 13 supplies compressedair to the ink cartridges 6 for pressurizing the ink in the inkcartridges 6. The ink cartridges 6 of each cartridge accommodationcasing 12 communicate with one another through a plurality ofcommunication lines 18. This allows the pressurized air supplied by thepressurization pump 13 to pressurize the ink in each of the inkcartridges 6. The pressurized air thus flows through the elongated inksupply tubes 16 smoothly and is supplied to the sub tank units 9, 10.The ink is then ejected from the nozzle surfaces of the first and secondrecording heads 7, 8 to the recording paper 19. As illustrated in FIG.2, each of the sub tank units 9, 10 includes sub tanks 9 a, 10 a thatare provided separately for the ink cartridges 6.

With reference to FIG. 2, each of the valve units 14 includes four valvedevices 14 a that are provided in correspondence with the ink cartridges6.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing one of the valvedevices 14 a. The valve device 14 a includes an ink supply needle 23that can be inserted into the corresponding ink cartridge 6. The inksupply needle 23 has an ink outlet line 31, i.e., a needle passage,defined in the interior. The ink outlet line 31, which extends along theink supply needle 23, has an inlet port 24 and an outlet port 31 a. Theinlet port 24 has an opening at a distal end of the ink supply needle 23and the outlet port 31 a has an opening at a basal end of the ink supplyneedle 23. The ink flows into the ink outlet line 31 from the inlet port24 and is sent to an ink line defined in the valve device 14 a. Thevalve device 14 a has a seal valve 133, a control valve 139, and anoperational lever 57. The ink line in the valve device 14 a includes aseal valve chamber 34 that receives the seal valve 133, a control valvechamber 40 that receives the control valve 139, and an outlet hole 41for sending the ink from the control valve chamber 40 to thecorresponding ink supply tube 16. The seal valve chamber 34 communicateswith the ink outlet line 31 and the control valve chamber 40communicates with the seal valve chamber 34.

The valve device 14 a includes a body 20 joined with the associatedcartridge accommodation casing 12. A recess 21 is defined in the uppersurface of the body 20. A projection 22 projects downward from thecenter of the bottom of the cartridge accommodation casing 12. Theprojection 22 is received in the associated recess 21. The ink supplyneedle 23 extends upward from the center of the projection 22. The inkoutlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23 communicates with the inkcartridge 6. In the structure of FIG. 3A, the ink supply needle 23 isformed integrally with the cartridge accommodation casing 12. However,the ink supply needle 23 may be first formed separately from thecartridge accommodation casing 12 and then assembled with the cartridgeaccommodation casing 12.

Each of the ink cartridges 6 has a double-wall structure including anouter casing 6 a and an inner casing 6 b. The inner casing 6 b retainsink and the outer casing 6 a receives the inner casing 6 b. A guidecylinder 25 is attached to the center of the bottom of the inner casing6 b. An in-cylinder passage 26 is defined in the guide cylinder 25 forreceiving the ink in the inner casing 6 b. A seal member 27 is embeddedin a portion of the outer casing 6 a opposed to the in-cylinder passage26. The ink supply needle 23 is passed through the seal member 27 andreceived in the in-cylinder passage 26. The seal member 27 is held intight contact with the outer circumferential surface of the ink supplyneedle 23. This allows the seal member 27 to prevent the ink in the inkcartridge 6 from flowing along the surface of the ink supply needle 23and leaking to the exterior of the ink cartridge 6. The seal member 27is formed of elastic material such as elastomer. When the ink cartridge6 is separated from the ink supply needle 23, the seal member 27elastically restores its original shape and thus closes the in-cylinderpassage 26. That is, the seal member 27 constantly prevents the ink inthe ink cartridge 6 from leaking to the exterior through the in-cylinderpassage 26, regardless of whether the ink supply needle 23 is receivedin or separated from the ink cartridge 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the recess 21 and the projection 22 havecircular cross-sectional shapes. The bottom of the recess 21 has twostepped portions that are arranged downwardly. More specifically, if therecess 21 is defined as a large diameter recess 21, a circularintermediate diameter recess 29 is defined at the center of the bottomof the large diameter recess 21 and a circular small diameter recess 30is defined at the center of the bottom of the intermediate diameterrecess 29. A connection cylinder 32 having a circular cross-sectionalshape projects downward from the center of the projection 22 of thecartridge accommodation casing 12. The connection cylinder 32 extendsthrough the intermediate diameter recess 29 and is inserted partiallyinto the small diameter recess 30. The seal valve chamber 34 is thusdefined by the bottom of the connection cylinder 32 and the bottom andthe circumferential surface of the small diameter recess 30. An annularseal ring 28 is fitted in the space defined by the projection 22, theconnection cylinder 32, and the bottom and the circumferential surfaceof the intermediate diameter recess 29. The seal ring 28 seals the sealvalve chamber 34 from the large diameter recess 21 and the exterior ofthe body 20.

A flat surface 35 is formed at a lower end of the connection cylinder32. The ink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23 includes theinterior of the connection cylinder 32. The outlet port 31 a of the inkoutlet line 31 has an opening defined at the center of the flat surface35 of the connection cylinder 32. A seal valve body 33 is allowed tocontact the flat surface 35. The bottom of the seal valve chamber 34,which is opposed to the flat surface 35, functions as a passage definingsurface 36 for allowing an ink flow to the first and second recordingheads 7, 8. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the seal valve body 33contacts the flat surface 35, the outlet port 31 a of the ink outletline 31 is blocked. Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, a cross-shapedcommunication groove 37 is defined in the passage defining surface 36.When the seal valve body 33 is held in contact with the passage definingsurface 36, a thick portion 42 of the seal valve body 33 encompasses acommunication hole 38. In this state, the ink in the seal valve chamber34 flows from outside of the thick portion 42 into the communicationgroove 37 and flows into the communication hole 38. The ink is thussupplied to the first and second recording heads 7, 8. In this manner,when the seal valve 133 is held in an open state, the communicationgroove 37 functions as a liquid flow allowing portion that allows theliquid flow from the seal valve chamber 34 to the control valve 139.

The communication hole 38 has an opening to the control valve chamber 40and the control valve chamber 40 communicates with the ink supply tube16 through the outlet hole 41. A passage including the seal valvechamber 34, the control valve chamber 40, the outlet hole 41, and theink supply tube 16 functions as an ink supply line, or a liquid supplyline, for connecting the ink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23to the first and second recording heads 7, 8.

The seal valve body 33 is formed of light elastic material such aselastomer. As shown in FIGS. 3B, 3D, and 3E, the seal valve body 33 hasa disk-like shape and includes a flat portion 43 and an annular thickportion 42 encompassing the flat portion 43. The thick portion 42 has asubstantially circular cross-sectional shape. The diameter of the sealvalve body 33 is smaller than the diameter of the circumferentialsurface of the circular seal valve chamber 34. This defines a clearancebetween the thick portion 42 and the circumferential surface of the sealvalve chamber 34. The ink is allowed to flow through the clearance. Theseal valve body 33 is received in the seal valve chamber 34 in anunrestricted state without being fixed to any part of the seal valvechamber 34. Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3E, the lower surface of the sealvalve body 33 is shaped in such a manner that the flat portion 43opposed to the communication hole 38 is located inward from the thickportion 42, which encompasses the flat portion 43. Therefore, the inkpressure applied from the communication hole 38 to the seal valve body33 is reliably received by the lower surface of the seal valve body 33in directions indicated by arrows 44 in FIG. 3E. This allows the sealvalve body 33 to move with relatively quick response for contacting theflat surface 35 immediately.

The distance between the flat surface 35 and the opposing passagedefining surface 36 is smaller than the diameter of the seal valve body33. More specifically, the distance between the flat surface 35 and theopposing passage defining surface 36 is set to a rate of, preferably,0.3 to 0.8, and, more preferably, to 0.4 to 0.6, with respect to thediameter of the seal valve body 33. This prevents the seal valve body 33from reversing in the seal valve chamber 34, thus ensuring highlyreliable valve operation. Further, the traveling distance of the sealvalve body 33 from the passage defining surface 36 to the flat surface35 becomes relatively small. That is, when the ink pressure is appliedfrom the communication hole 38 to the seal valve body 33, the seal valvebody 33 blocks the ink outlet line 31 with improved response and in arelatively short time. Also, the seal valve 133 is located at a positionmaximally close to the control valve 139, thus shortening thecommunication hole 38 that connects the seal valve chamber 34 to thecontrol valve chamber 40. This arrangement makes it easy for the sealvalve body 33 to sense change of the ink pressure when the control valve139 is being closed. The seal valve body 33 thus operates with quickresponse. Therefore, the seal valve 133 closes before the control valve139 closes.

A control valve body 39 is formed of elastic material such as elastomer,like the seal valve body 33. The control valve body 39 is formed like adiaphragm having an attachment cylinder 51. An annular raised portion 46projects from a middle portion of the diaphragm. The raised portion 46contacts a seat surface 47 corresponding to the ceiling of the controlvalve chamber 40 for closing the communication hole 38, or, in otherwords, shuttering the ink supply line of the inkjet recording apparatus.

A cupped casing 49 having a circular cross-sectional shape is joinedwith the lower surface of the body 20. The body 20 and the casing 49define the control valve chamber 40 for receiving the control valve body39. A flange is formed at the opening end of the casing 49 and, togetherwith the lower surface of the body 20, clamps and supports acircumferential portion of the diaphragm of the control valve body 39.The circumferential portion of the diaphragm functions also as a sealfor preventing the ink from leaking from the control valve chamber 40.The inner surfaces of the casing 49 and the diaphragm of the controlvalve body 39 define an operation chamber 48 for operating the controlvalve 139. A transmission shaft 50 is accommodated in the operationchamber 48. The transmission shaft 50 extends vertically with theattachment cylinder 51 of the control valve body 39 secured to the upperend of the transmission shaft 50. A flange 52 projects from anintermediate portion of the transmission shaft 50. A compression coilspring 54 is arranged between the flange 52 and a bottom surface 53 ofthe casing 49. The compression coil spring 54 functions as an urgingmember for urging the control valve body 39 upwardly, or, in a closingdirection of the control valve 139.

A projection piece 55 is attached to the lower end of the body 20. Apivotal shaft 56 is pivotally supported by the projection piece 55. Theoperational lever 57 having a bent shape is secured to the pivotal shaft56 in such a manner as to pivot integrally with the pivotal shaft 56.The transmission shaft 50 extends downward with a lower end 58 of thetransmission shaft 50 projecting to the exterior of the operationchamber 48. An engagement portion 59 is formed at a distal end of theoperational lever 57 and engaged with the lower end 58 of thetransmission shaft 50.

The operational lever 57 pivots between a control valve open positionshown in FIG. 3A and a control valve closed position shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B. When held at the control valve open position, the control valvebody 39 opens the communication hole 38. When held at the control valveclosed position, the control valve body 39 closes the communication hole38. The transmission shaft 50 and the operational lever 57 form a valveopening, operation mechanism for forcibly opening the control valve 139.

The operational lever 57 is connected to a valve opening actuator 111.The valve opening actuator 111 is driven under instructions of acontroller 110, which serves as a computer device that controls therecording apparatus as a whole. The controller 110 also controls acapping actuator 112 that actuates the capping device 62. Further, thecontroller 110 controls a vacuum pump 113 that applies negative pressureto the first and second recording heads 7, 8 for cleaning.

The valve opening actuator 111 applies urging force to the operationallever 57 for forcibly opening the control valve 139. More specifically,as shown in FIG. 3A, the valve opening actuator 111 operates to urge theoperational lever 57 against the urging force of the compression coilspring 54 in such a manner as to pivot the operational lever 57clockwise. In this state, the transmission shaft 50 moves downward andthus opens the control valve 139. In contrast, referring to FIG. 4A, ifthe valve opening actuator 111 is operated to pivot the operationallever 57 counterclockwise or simply stopped, the transmission shaft 50is moved upward by the urging force of the compression coil spring 54.The control valve body 39 thus contacts the seat surface 47 and thuscloses the control valve 139.

The operation of the first embodiment will hereafter be explained.

In the state of FIG. 3A, the controller 110 operates the valve openingactuator 111 for pivoting the operational lever 57 clockwise, thusmoving the transmission shaft 50 downward. The control valve 139 is thusopened against the urging force of the compression coil spring 54. Ifthe controller 110 activates the pressurization pump 13 in this state,the ink in the ink cartridge 6 flows from the inlet port 24 of the inksupply needle 23 into the ink outlet line 31. The ink then flows intothe ink supply line including the seal valve chamber 34, thecommunication groove 37, the communication hole 38, the control valvechamber 40, the outlet hole 41, and the ink supply tube 16. The ink isthus supplied to the first and second recording head 7, 8 and ejectedfrom the first and second recording heads 7, 8 as ink droplets.

When cleaning the first and second recording heads 7, 8, the controller110 stops the pressurization pump 13 and activates the capping actuator112, thus causing the capping device 62 to seal the first and secondrecording heads 7, 8. The controller 110 then actuates the vacuum pump113 and thus applies negative pressure to the first and second recordingheads 7, 8, which is required for cleaning operation. As shown in FIG.4A, when the operational lever 57 is pivoted counterclockwise, theurging force of the compression coil spring 54 moves the control valvebody 39 upward. The raised portion 46 of the control valve body 39 thuscontacts the seat surface 47 and blocks the communication hole 38. Inother words, the ink supply line is shuttered. When the control valve139 is closed, the ink supply to the first and second recording heads 7,8 is stopped. Therefore, by actuating the vacuum pump 113 in this statecontinuously for a predetermined time, the negative pressure actingbetween the control valve 139 and the first and second recording heads7, 8 reaches a predetermined level sufficient for the cleaningoperation. At this stage, the controller 110 actuates the valve openingactuator 111 for pivoting the operational lever 57 clockwise against theurging force of the compression coil spring 54. This opens the controlvalve 139, as shown in FIG. 3A, causing the ink in the ink cartridge 6to rapidly flow into small passages that are defined in the first andsecond recording heads 7, 8. In this manner, the cleaning operation iscarried out effectively.

The operation of the first embodiment in a transitional state between anopen state and a closed state of the control valve 139 will hereafter beexplained. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the operational lever 57 is pivotedcounterclockwise, the control valve body 39 is moved upward, or in theclosing direction of the control valve 139, by the urging force of thecompression coil spring 54. The control valve body 39 thus presses theink in the communication hole 38 upward. The ink, in turn, presses theseal valve body 33 upward, thus placing the seal valve body 33 incontact with the flat surface 35 for sealing the outlet port 31 a of theink supply needle 23. In other words, the ink pressure applied from thecontrol valve body 39 to the ink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle23 causes the seal valve body 33 to seal the ink outlet line 31 of theink supply needle 23.

When held in contact with the seat surface 47, the raised portion 46 ofthe control valve body 39 is squeezed and elastically deformed,extending in lateral directions. This reduces the space in the controlvalve chamber 40 that communicates with the communication hole 38 and isclosed by the annular raised portion 46. The pressure of the ink thatflows through the communication hole 38 and presses the seal valve body33 upward is thus further increased.

Since the ink pressure pressing the seal valve body 33 upward ismaintained in the seal valve chamber 34 and the communication hole 38 aslong as the control valve 139 blocks the communication hole 38, the sealvalve 133 is held in the closed state, which is brought about in theabove-described manner. However, when the valve opening actuator 111 isactuated and the control valve 139 is opened against the urging force ofthe compression coil spring 54, the ink in the seal valve chamber 34escapes to the control valve chamber 40 through the communication hole38. This causes the seal valve body 33 to fall on the passage definingsurface 36, thus opening the ink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle23. That is, the seal valve 133 becomes open immediately after thecontrol valve 139 becomes open. The ink supply from the ink cartridge 6to the first and second recording heads 7, 8 is thus resumed quickly.

For replacing the ink cartridge 6 by an unused product or an inkcartridge of a different color, such replacement is first commanded bythe user to the controller 110. The controller 110 thus stops thepressurization pump 13 and operates to pivot the operational lever 57counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 4A, closing the control valve 139. Inthe transitional state from the open state to the closed state of thecontrol valve 139, the seal valve 133 is closed in correspondence withclosing of the control valve body 39, as in the case of the cleaningoperation. That is, the seal valve body 33 is held in contact with theflat surface 35. In this state, the ink cartridge 6 is separated fromthe ink supply needle 23. At this stage, since the seal valve body 33blocks the outlet port 31 a of the ink supply needle 23, the ink in theink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23 does not leak from theinlet port 24 that is exposed to the exterior.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3F, the communication groove 37 having inkflow allowing function may be defined in the seal valve body 33 insteadof the passage defining surface 36 of the seal valve chamber 34. Morespecifically, a communication groove 61 serving as a liquid flowallowing portion is defined in a crossed shape in the lower surface ofthe seal valve body 33. The bottom of the seal valve chamber 34 forms aflat surface 60. The remaining structure is identical to that of FIG. 3Band same or like reference numerals are given to parts in FIG. 3F thatare the same as or like corresponding parts in FIG. 3B. The structure ofFIG. 3F has the same advantages as those of FIG. 3B.

The first embodiment has the following advantages.

The control valve 139 is provided in the ink supply line for closing theink supply line when negative pressure is applied to the first andsecond recording heads 7, 8. The seal valve 133 is arranged between thecontrol valve 139 and the ink supply needle 23 for sealing the inksupply line using the ink pressure applied from the control valve 139 tothe ink outlet line 31. Thus, when the control valve body 39 is movedfor closing the control valve 139 in the transitional state from theopen state to the closed state of the control valve 139, the inkpressure applied from the control valve body 39 to the ink outlet line31 of the ink supply needle 23 urges the seal valve body 33 in such amanner as to close the seal valve 133, thus blocking the ink supplyline. This stops the ink flow from the control valve chamber 40 to theink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23. Accordingly, the ink isprevented from leaking from the ink supply needle 23 when the inkcartridge 6 is separated from the ink supply needle 23.

The negative pressure is applied to the first and second recording heads7, 8 with the control valve 139 held in the closed state. The controlvalve 139 is then opened when the negative pressure reaches thepredetermined level. In this manner, the ink in the ink cartridge 6rapidly flows into the small passages defined in the first and secondrecording heads 7, 8. The cleaning operation is thus performedeffectively.

The seal valve 133 is provided between the control valve 139 and the inksupply needle 23. Therefore, when the outlet port 31 a is sealed by theseal valve 133 in the closed state of the control valve 139, the amountof ink the pressure of which is equal to the ink pressure at the inletport 24 of the ink supply needle 23 is as small as the amount of the inkin the ink supply needle 23. This makes it easy to prevent the ink fromleaking from the ink supply needle 23 when the ink cartridge 6 isseparated from the ink supply needle 23.

The seal valve body 33 is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the inkoutlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23. This minimizes the volume ofthe ink retained in the portion from the position at which the inkoutlet line 31 is sealed by the seal valve body 33 to the inlet port 24,or the distal end, of the ink outlet line 31. The ink is thus furthereasily prevented from leaking from the ink supply needle 23.

The seal valve body 33 is accommodated in the seal valve chamber 34,which is defined in the ink supply line, in the unrestricted state.Therefore, even if the ink flow caused by movement of the control valvebody 39 is extremely small, the seal valve body 33 moves to the positionfor sealing the ink outlet line 31 with quick response, thus reliablysealing the ink outlet line 31. Further, as has been described, the sealvalve body 33 is arranged in the seal valve chamber 34 without beingfixed to any part of the seal valve chamber 34, with a predeterminedclearance defined between the seal valve body 33 and the circumferentialwall of the seal valve chamber 34. The seal valve 133 is thus easilyassembled in a relatively small space. This is advantageous in designingof the seal valve 133, particularly, components in the vicinity of theseal valve body 33.

The wall surfaces of the seal valve chamber 34 include the flat surface35 and the passage defining surface 36 opposed to the flat surface 35.The seal valve body 33 contacts the flat surface 35 and thus seals theink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23. The passage definingsurface 36 allows the ink flow from the control valve chamber 40 to thefirst and second recording heads 7, 8. Since the flat surface 35 and thepassage defining surface 36 are opposed to each other, the seal valvebody 33 is allowed to switch between the seal function and the ink flowallowing function simply by reciprocating in the seal valve chamber 34.That is, the seal valve 133 reliably functions as a check valve throughsimple operation.

The compression coil spring 54 urges the control valve body 39 in such amanner as to close the control valve 139. Closing of the control valve139 is thus promoted by the compression coil spring 54, and the controlvalve 139 is reliably closed in a relatively short time.

The operational lever 57 is operated for switching the control valve 139from the closed state to the open state. When the ink cartridge 6 isseparated from the ink supply needle 23 for replacement, the controlvalve 139, or the seal valve 133, is held in the closed state. After thereplacement is completed, the operational lever 57 is pivoted foropening the control valve 139, thus opening the seal valve 133. Thisallows the ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge 6 immediately afterthe replacement.

The ink in the ink cartridge 6 is pressurized by the pressurization pump13. Since the ink pressure in the control valve chamber 40 acts againstthe urging force of the compression coil spring 54, the control valve139 closes at a correspondingly low speed. However, as has beendescribed, the seal valve body 33 is arranged in the seal valve chamber34 in an unrestricted state. Thus, even if the ink pressure applied bythe control valve 139 is increased only by a small amount, the sealvalve body 33 moves with quick response and contacts the flat surface35. That is, the seal valve 133 functions with improved response.

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described withreference to FIG. 5, focusing on the structure of the seal valve chamber34, which is different from that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the seal valve chamber34 and the seal valve 133. In the second embodiment, the seal valvechamber 34 is configured in such a manner that the ink pressure (theliquid pressure) is applied horizontally from the control valve 139 tothe ink outlet line 31. A ceiling surface 34 a of the seal valve chamber34 is smaller that a bottom surface 34 b of the seal valve chamber 34.More specifically, in the seal valve chamber 34, a step 36 a is formedin a portion of the passage defining surface 36 closer to the ceilingsurface 34 a, in such a manner as to reduce the distance between thisportion and the flat surface 35, as compared to a portion of the passagedefining surface 36 closer to the bottom surface 34 b.

The seal valve body 33 is received in the seal valve chamber 34 with alongitudinal direction of the seal valve body 33 coinciding with avertical direction. In the second embodiment, the specific gravity ofthe seal valve body 33 is smaller than that of the ink. That is, theseal valve body 33 is formed of a material that floats in the seal valvechamber 34. Therefore, an upper end 33 a of the seal valve body 33, orone end of the seal valve body 33, is constantly held in contact withthe ceiling surface 34 a of the seal valve chamber 34. Contrastingly, alower end 33 b of the seal valve body 33, or the opposing end of theseal valve body 33, floats in the seal valve chamber 34 as slightlyseparated from the bottom surface 34 b.

As has been explained for the first embodiment, the seal valve body 33moves in a direction in which the ink pressure acts, or, in the secondembodiment, in a horizontal direction. The seal valve body 33 thusselectively opens and closes the ink outlet line 31. In the secondembodiment, the size of the bottom surface 34 b of the seal valvechamber 34 is sufficiently larger than that of the thick portion 42 ofthe seal valve body 33. Thus, the lower end 33 b of the seal valve body33 is allowed to move in a relatively wide range. In contrast, the sizeof the ceiling surface 34 a of the seal valve chamber 34 is reduced bythe step 36 a to the size substantially equal to that of the thickportion 42 of the seal valve body 33. Therefore, compared to the lowerend 33 b, movement of the upper end 33 a of the seal valve body 33 isrestricted. In other words, a movement range S1 of the upper end 33 a ofthe seal valve body 33 (=the size of the ceiling surface 34 a) issmaller than a movement range S2 of the lower end 33 b (=the size of thebottom surface 34 b).

The remaining structure of the seal valve chamber 34 is identical tothat of the structure of FIG. 3B and same or like reference numerals aregiven to parts in FIG. 5 that are the same as or like correspondingparts in FIG. 3B.

The operation of the second embodiment will hereafter be explained.

In the state indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 5, the seal valve body33 opens the ink outlet line 31 of the ink supply needle 23. Incontrast, in the state indicated by the broken lines in the drawing, theseal valve body 33 closes the ink outlet line 31. Like the firstembodiment, when the control valve body 39 is moved for closing thecontrol valve 139 in the transitional state from the open state to theclosed state of the control valve 139, the ink pressure is applied fromthe control valve body 39 to the ink outlet line 31 of the ink supplyneedle 23. In the second embodiment, the ink pressure is applied by thecontrol valve 139 in a horizontal direction, or, more particularly, fromthe left to the right as viewed in FIG. 5.

In this state, the ink pressure urges the seal valve body 33 toward theink outlet line 31, or, more particularly, rightward as viewed in FIG.5. Since the movement range S1 of the upper end 33 a of the seal valvebody 33 is substantially equivalent to the size of the thick portion 42of the seal valve body 33, the upper end 33 a is substantiallyprohibited from moving. Therefore, when receiving the ink pressureacting in the horizontal direction, the seal valve body 33 pivotscounterclockwise about the upper end 33 a as fulcrum, as viewed in FIG.5, until the lower end 33 b contacts the flat surface 35. In thismanner, the seal valve body 33 seals the outlet port 31 a of the inksupply needle 23.

Contrastingly, when the control valve 139 becomes open, the pressure inthe control valve chamber 40 becomes negative and the seal valve body 33moves away from the ink outlet line 31, or, more particularly, leftwardas viewed in FIG. 5. In this state, the upper end 33 a is substantiallyprohibited from moving, as in the case of closing of the control valve139. The seal valve body 33 thus pivots clockwise as viewed in thedrawing about the upper end 33 a serving as the fulcrum, until the lowerend 33 b of the seal valve body 33 contacts the passage defining surface36. This opens the outlet port 31 a of the ink supply needle 23, causingthe ink to flow from the ink cartridge 6 to the first and secondrecording heads 7, 8.

The remainder of the operation of the second embodiment is the same asthat of the first embodiment and will be omitted from the explanation.

The second embodiment has the following advantages in addition to thoseof the first embodiment.

The seal valve body 33 is received in the seal valve chamber 34 in sucha manner that the movement range S1 of the upper end 33 a becomessmaller than the movement range S2 of the lower end 33 b, or thefollowing inequality is satisfied: S1<S2. That is, the lower end 33 b ofthe seal valve body 33 is allowed to move in a relatively wide range. Incontrast, movement of the upper end 33 a is restricted compared to thatof the lower end 33 b, or the upper end 33 a is allowed to move only ina relatively small range.

The outlet port 31 a of the ink supply needle 23 is sealed by a portionof the seal valve body 33 in the vicinity of the center C of the sealvalve body 33. As indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 5, when the sealvalve body 33 maintains the ink outlet line 31 in an open state, thecenter C of the seal valve body 33 is spaced from the outlet port 31 aof the ink outlet line 31 by a half of S2 (=S2/2). However, if, forexample, the step 36 a is not provided, or the following equation issatisfied: S1=S2, the center C of the seal valve body 33 is spaced fromthe outlet port 31 a of the ink outlet line 31 by S2 and contacts thepassage defining surface 36. In other words, in the seal valve 133 ofFIG. 5, the step 36 a restricts movement of the seal valve body 33 andreduces the stroke of reciprocation of the seal valve body 33.

If the step 36 a is not provided, the lateral movement distance of thecenter C of the seal valve body 33 decreases to a half of thecorresponding dimension of the first embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Thisallows the seal valve body 33 to quickly seal the ink outlet line 31when receiving the ink pressure applied horizontally from the controlvalve 139 to the ink outlet line 31. That is, the seal valve 133functions with improved response.

In the second embodiment, the specific gravity of the seal valve body 33is smaller than that of the ink. The seal valve body 33 thus floats inthe seal valve chamber 34. The upper end 33 a of the seal valve body 33,or the one end of the seal valve body 33, is constantly held in contactwith the ceiling surface 34 a of the seal valve chamber 34. Whenreceiving the ink pressure applied horizontally to the ink outlet line31 in this state, the seal valve body 33 pivots with the upper end 33 a,which is allowed to move only in the relatively small movement range S1,serving as the fulcrum. In other words, sealing of the outlet port 31 aof the ink outlet line 31 is smoothly achieved by setting the movementranges S1, S2 in correspondence with the specific gravity of the sealvalve body 33 relative to that of the ink. This further improvesresponse of the seal valve 133. Further, if the inkjet recordingapparatus is placed on a slanted or uneven surface, instead of ahorizontal surface, the seal valve body 33 is maintained in a floatingstate. The upper end 33 a of the seal valve body 33 is thus constantlyheld in contact with the ceiling surface 34 a of the seal valve chamber34 in a movement restricted manner. Accordingly, the position and themovement distance of the seal valve body 33 are maintained constant, andthe function of the seal valve 133 becomes reliable and stable.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be embodied in many other specific forms without departingfrom the sprit or scope of the invention. Particularly, it should beunderstood that the invention may be embodied in the following forms.

In each of the illustrated embodiment, the ink cartridges 6 are arrangedin groups at the opposing ends of the inkjet recording apparatus.However, the present invention may be allied to a type in which the inkcartridges 6 are provided at one of the ends without changing theoperation of the apparatus.

In each of the illustrated embodiments, the present invention is appliedto the inkjet recording apparatus. However, the present invention may beapplied to an ejection apparatus ejecting, for example, glue, manicure,or conductive liquid (such as liquid metal). Further, instead of theinkjet recording apparatus ejecting ink, a type of liquid, the presentinvention may be applied generally to liquid ejection apparatusesincluding recording apparatuses used in image recording apparatuses suchas printers, color material ejection apparatuses used in fabrication ofcolor filters of liquid crystal displays, electrode material ejectionapparatuses used in fabrication of electrodes of organic EL displays orfield emission displays (FEDs), and bioorganic matter ejectionapparatuses used in fabrication of biochips.

In the second embodiment, the seal valve body 33 may be formed ofmaterial having a specific gravity greater than that of the ink. In thiscase, the step 36 a is formed in such a manner that the movement rangeS2 of the lower end 33 b becomes smaller than the movement range S1 ofthe upper end 33 a. Since the specific gravity of the seal valve body 33is greater than that of the ink, the seal valve body 33 is constantlymaintained in a state sitting in the seal valve chamber 34 with thelower end 33 b held in contact with the bottom surface 34 b. Thus, whenreceiving the ink pressure acting in a horizontal direction, the sealvalve body 33 moves, or pivots, with the lower end 33 b serving asfulcrum. Accordingly, this structure has the same advantages as thestructure in which the specific gravity of the seal valve body 33 issmaller than that of the ink.

In the second embodiment, the seal valve chamber 34 having the step 36 amay be configured in such a manner that the ink pressure (the liquidpressure) is applied vertically from the control valve 139 to the inkoutlet line 31. In other words, although the seal valve body 33 of thesecond embodiment is configured in accordance with “tower-likearrangement”, the seal valve body 33 may be configured in accordancewith “transverse arrangement”. Also in this case, the step 36 a isformed in the seal valve chamber 34 in such a manner that the movementrange S1 of an end 33 a of the seal valve body 33 in a directioncrossing the acting direction of the ink pressure applied from thecontrol valve 139 to the ink outlet line 31 becomes relatively small.This shortens the movement distance of the center C of the seal valvebody 33 from the position at which the seal valve body 33 opens the inkoutlet line 31 to the position at which the seal valve body 33 contactsthe flat surface 35, thus improving the response of the seal valve 133.

In the second embodiment, the step 36 a of the seal valve chamber 34 isformed integrally with the body 20 of the valve device 14 a. However,the step 36 a may be formed in the seal valve chamber 34 independentlyfrom the body 20 of the valve device 14 a, in such a manner as to reducethe movement range S1 of the upper end 33 a or the movement range S2 ofthe lower end 33 b. Alternatively, as long as the movement range S1 orthe movement range S2 is reduced, different structures may be selectedinstead of the step 36 a, such as a pin projecting from the wall of thecontrol valve chamber 40.

In the second embodiment, the upper end 33 a of the seal valve body 33may be pivotally supported by the wall of the control valve chamber 40by means of a shaft or a bearing surface. This arrangement may beemployed also in a structure in which the movement range S2 of the lowerend 33 b of the seal valve body 33 is smaller than the movement range S1of the upper end 33 a.

The present examples and embodiments are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limitedto the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope andequivalence of the appended claims.

1. A liquid ejection apparatus ejecting a liquid retained in a liquidcontainer from a liquid ejection head, the apparatus comprising: aliquid supply needle having an outlet line that can be connected to theinterior of the liquid container; a liquid supply line connecting theoutlet line of the liquid supply needle to the liquid ejection head; acontrol valve provided in the liquid supply line, wherein the controlvalve closes the liquid supply line when negative pressure is applied tothe liquid ejection head; and a seal valve arranged between the controlvalve and the liquid supply needle in the liquid supply line, whereinthe seal valve seals the liquid supply line using liquid pressureapplied from the control valve to the outlet line.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the seal valve is arranged in theimmediate vicinity of the outlet line.
 3. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the seal valve includes a seal valve chamber defined inthe liquid supply line and a seal valve body received in the seal valvechamber in an unrestricted state.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the seal valve chamber includes a flat surface and a passagedefining surface opposed to the flat surface, the flat surfacecooperating with the seal valve body for sealing the liquid supply linewhen the seal valve body contacts the flat surface, and wherein theliquid supply line from the control valve has an opening defined in thepassage defining surface.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, whereinat least one of the passage defining surface and the seal valve bodyincludes a liquid flow allowing portion that allows a flow of the liquidfrom the seal valve chamber to the control valve when the seal valve isopen.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the seal valveincludes a seal valve chamber defined in the liquid supply line and aseal valve body received in the seal valve chamber, wherein the sealvalve body has a first end and a second end located in a directioncrossing an acting direction of the liquid pressure applied from thecontrol valve to the outlet line, and wherein a movement range of thefirst end in the acting direction of the liquid pressure is smaller thanthat of the second end.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe size of the seal valve chamber in the acting direction of the liquidpressure is set in such a manner that a dimension corresponding to thefirst end of the seal valve body is smaller than a dimensioncorresponding to the second end of the seal valve body.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the seal valve chamber is configured insuch a manner that the acting direction of the liquid pressure appliedfrom the control valve chamber to the outlet line corresponds to ahorizontal direction, and wherein the seal valve body extends verticallyin the seal valve chamber in such a manner that the movement range of anupper end of the seal valve body becomes smaller than that of a lowerend of the seal valve body if the specific gravity of the seal valvebody is smaller than that of the liquid, and that the movement range ofthe lower end of the seal valve body becomes smaller than that of theupper end if the specific gravity of the seal valve body is greater thanthat of the liquid.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thecontrol valve includes a control valve body and an urging member forurging the control valve body in a closing direction of the controlvalve.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising anoperation mechanism for switching the control valve from a closed stateto an open state.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theseal valve closes before the control valve closes.
 12. A liquid ejectionapparatus ejecting a liquid retained in a liquid container from a liquidejection head, the apparatus comprising: a liquid supply needle havingan outlet line that can be connected to the interior of the liquidcontainer; a liquid supply line connecting the outlet line of the liquidsupply needle to the liquid ejection head; a control valve provided inthe liquid supply line, wherein the control valve closes the liquidsupply line when negative pressure is applied to the liquid ejectionhead; and a seal valve arranged between the control valve and the liquidsupply needle in the liquid supply line, wherein the seal valve includesa seal valve chamber defined in the liquid supply line and a seal valvebody received in the seal valve chamber in an unrestricted state, andwherein, in a transitional state from an open state to a closed state ofthe control valve, the seal valve body seals the outlet line in responseto change of the liquid pressure applied from the control valve.